Cougars Reduce Deer-Vehicle Collisions by Pushing Deer Away From Roads

A new study has found that cougars help reduce the risk of car crashes involving deer. The big cats, through their predatory presence, cause deer to alter their movement patterns and retreat deeper into forests. This natural behavior keeps deer away from roadsides, where they typically pose a significant hazard to drivers. The findings highlight an unexpected road safety benefit of having cougar populations in an area.